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Elsie Kraus, 95

Funeral Services for Elsie L. Kraus will be conducted from the United Methodist Church in Eddyville, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Doug Jones officiating. Interment will be in the Jewell Cemetery in Dawson County, southeast of Eddyville. Elsie L. Kraus, 95 years of age, of rural Eddyville, passed away Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, following a brief illness at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Elsie was born Aug. 22, 1917, in Butler County at Abie, the eldest of two children born to Joseph and Tillie (Hasik) Hladky. Elsie received her education from Lexington High School, graduating as valedictorian of her class in 1934. She then pursued higher education to receive her teaching credentials. Elsie then taught in a district school at Buffalo, Nebraska. December 28, 1937, she was united in marriage to Lawrence Kraus at Beaver City, and to this union two daughters were born: Arlene Joyce and Carol Ann. The family made their home near Buffalo, where Lawrence operated a repair shop and Elsie continued teaching school until 1952. The family then moved to their current farmstead southeast of Eddyville on Dry Fork Road.In her younger years, Elsie served on the Eddyville School Board and was also active as a 4-H Leader for many years. In years past, she enjoyed her involvement and friendships formed in area Extension Clubs. Elsie was a member of the United Methodist Church in Eddyville, where she was involved with the United Methodist Women. She loved life on the farm, cooking meals for her husband, Lawrence and son-in-law, Steve was a daily routine. January 22, 1993, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence. Elsie continued to reside on the farm her entire 95 years. She was an inspiration to her family, and her faith was evident everyday as she faithfully read her daily Bible devotions. The pride and joy of her life were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Besides her parents and husband, Lawrence, Elsie was preceded in death by her brother, Ernest Hladky and his wife, Dottie; one grandson born at rest, Dale Bennett Pearson; one nephew, James Hladky; and three brothers-in-law: Alfred Kraus, Harold Kraus and his wife, Zaida and Andy Neben. She leaves to mourn her passing, her two daughters, Arlene Pearson and her husband, Jim of Clancy, Mont., and Carol Bauer and her husband, Steve of rural Eddyville; three grandchildren, David Pearson and his wife, Chuyan of Helena, Mont., Audra Castro and her husband, Victor of Burke, Virg., and Stephanie Rayburn of Kearney, nine great-grandchildren, Thadd-eus, Tannah, Zachary, Faith and Maxwell Pearson, Isaiah, Anyia, and Gabe Casstro and Andrew Rayburn; one sister-in-law, Alice Neben of Broken Bow, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A memorial has been established in Elsie’s honor and kindly suggested to the Eddyville United Methodist Church or the Sumner Rescue Unit. Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelson bauerfh.com. The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, is in charge of the arrangements. Published in Custer County Chief, Dec. 27, 2012